Design Argument Flashcards
Which philosopher is associated with the design argument?
William Paley
Who is William Paley?
William Paley was a British theologian and philosopher who is well-known for his design argument
In what book did William Paley present his design argument in?
Natural Theology or Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity
When was natural theology originally published?
1802
What kind of argument is the design argument?
– A posteriori
– Inductive
Why is the design argument an a posteriori argument?
The design argument is an a posteriori argument because it is based on empirical observations and evidence from the natural world
Why is the design argument an inductive argument?
Inductive arguments are those for which the premises count as evidence for a conclusion
The design argument is an inductive argument because it draws a conclusion about the existence of a designer based on observed patterns
Can inductive arguments be used as proofs?
Evidence is not proof
For all we can currently know there is additional evidence we could discover that would disprove the conclusion our current evidence suggests
The technical term for this is that knowledge based on experience is “defeasible”
knowledge based on experience is “defeasible” –
what does this statement mean?
There could be further evidence that is currently unknown which would show it to be false
What is the design argument
The design argument (also known as the teleological argument) is an argument for the existence of God based on the apparent design and order in the natural world
What analogy does William Paley use in the design argument?
Watchmaker analogy
What is the Watchmaker Analogy?
There is something about a watch which suggests it had not always been lying there
It is composed of parts which are intricately formed so as to produce a motion which is so meticulously regulated as to point out the hour and minute of the day
It has complexity which is arranged so as to perform a purpose
If the parts were themselves any differently shaped or composed of other materials or were placed in any other arrangement the purpose of telling the time would not have resulted
The watch could not have come about by chance nor been there forever because it has complexity and purpose
This must mean it had a designer – a watch maker
Paley then points out there are also things in the universe that are complex and have a purpose – what does he point out?
He points out in particular the complexity of the Human eye which is arranged to fulfil the purpose of enabling us to see
He also points to the wings of a bird and fins of a fish which are examples of complexity fitted together to perform a purpose of flying and swimming
Complexity and Order
Paley argued that the intricate complexity and order found in living organisms and the natural world cannot be the result of chance or randomness
He believed that such complexity and order necessitate an intelligent designer
William Paley watchmaker analogy quote
“Every manifestation of design, which existed in the watch, exists in the works of nature”
Fine-Tuning Argument
Paley also made the case for the fine-tuning of the universe
He argued that the precise balance of physical constants and conditions necessary for life to exist strongly suggests the existence of an intelligent designer
What is Occam’s razor?
Occam’s razor (also known as lex parsimoniae) is a principle that states that among competing hypotheses the one with the fewest assumptions or entities should be preferred
Which quote is associated with Occam’s razor?
“Entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity”
How can Occam’s razor be used as a strength for the design argument?
God is the simplest explanation of the design in the world
What is the design argument also known as?
The teleological argument
Paley’s design qua Purpose
The combination of complexity and purpose (which we observe in natural objects and beings) is best explained by a designer
Anthropomorphic
Language
that attributes human
characteristics or ideas to
non-human entities
How can anthropomorphism be utilised as a critique against the design argument?
The use of human-like attributes to explain the design of the universe is problematic because it relies on an analogy between human creations and cosmic phenomena
This anthropomorphic projection may lead to an oversimplification of the nature of the designer and the complexities involved in the creation of the universe.
What counters the idea provided by Occam’s razor that God is the simplest explanation of the design in the world?
Hume’s epicurean hypothesis
What is Hume’s Epicurean hypothesis?
The universe (including its order and complexity) could have arisen from the random combination of atoms and natural processes – without the need for an intelligent designer
How can Hume’s Epicurean hypothesis be used as a critique against the design argument?
It is also consistent with modern science but explains order and design without reference to a God – showing that the God explanation is unnecessary
It suggests that the apparent order and complexity in the universe can be the result of natural processes and random chance rather than the deliberate work of an intelligent designer
The fact that the design argument is a posteriori can be viewed as a strength – How does Hume counter this strength?
Hume aims to show that a posteriori observation of the world cannot provide a basis to conclude that a perfect God exists because the world contains imperfections like evil
Hume isn’t trying to prove that there is no designer – just that a posteriori evidence cannot be used to show that the designer must be the God of classical theism
How can Paley be defended from the argument provided by Hume that the evil in the world is evidence against God?
Evil may be unavoidable in order for God to bring about good:
– soul-making requires evil
– free will requires evil
Hume’s critique of analogy
The smoke produced by fire and dry ice is very similar but their causes not similar
Two effects which are alike (analogous) might in fact have very different causes
Hume’s critique of analogy quote
“Can you claim to show any such similarity between the structure of a house and the generation of a universe?”
Critic: David Hume
Criticism: Multiple Designers or an Imperfect Designer
Hume challenges the idea that the design argument necessitates a single perfect designer – proposing the possibility of multiple designers or a single designer with limitations to account for imperfections and suffering in the world
Critic: David Hume
Criticism: Infinite Regress and the Need for an Explanation
Hume contends that if complexity and order in the universe demand an explanation then the existence of a designer itself necessitates an explanation – leading to an infinite regress that fails to provide a satisfactory explanation for the existence and design of the universe
Karl Barth’s original sin critique of natural theology
Karl Barth was influenced by Augustine – who claimed that after the Fall our ability to reason become corrupted by original sin
Barth states that it is dangerous to rely on corrupted human reason to know anything of God
Karl Barth’s original sin critique of natural theology – quote
“The finite has no capacity for the infinite”
Barth even thought that natural theology led to…
idolatry
Aquinas defends natural theology
Aquinas claimed that original sin only destroyed “original justice” which was our perfect rational control over our desires
It did not destroy our ability to reason itself
This is because only rational beings can sin – it makes no sense to say that animals sin
H.H. Price: belief-that vs belief-in
H.H. Price distinguishes between belief-that and belief-in
Belief-that refers to having a cognitive belief about the existence of something
Belief-in entails a deeper personal commitment and trust in the reality or significance of something
H.H. Price: belief-that vs belief-in
Critics argue that even if the design argument provides logical support for the existence of an intelligent designer it falls short of…
generating a profound belief-in God that would transform the worldview or way of life of someone
H.H. Price: belief-that vs belief-in
How does this belief critique the value for faith of the design argument?
It points out its potential inability to generate a deep personal commitment and transformative conviction in an intelligent designer – limiting its impact on the worldviews and lived experiences of an individual
